Kentucky Derby 2020 Blog: Jerome & Sham Stakes Recap

The Kentucky Derby 2020 trail is off and running! Independence Hall started off the year with an easy score in the Jerome Stakes, and Authentic ran away with the Sham Stakes a few days later. The Fair Grounds road to the Derby begins with the Lecomte Stakes (G3) Jan. 18, and Scabbard is the tepid morning line favorite.

Check out Today's Racing Digest for handicapping products, analysis, and more! Authentic capture above courtesy of Today's Racing Digest.

Lecomte Stakes (G3) Preview from Fair Grounds (1-18-20)

Scabbard is the favorite and he should not have any excuses. He looks like the class of the field and reunites with his winning rider Corey Lanerie. He drew a favorable post position and should get pace to chase. Look for him to strike from midpack. Steve Asmussen entered three runners (Excession, Halo Again, Silver State), and the latter might be the most dangerous of the three. The $450k son of Hard Spun ran well in both starts at Churchill Downs last year, and Ricardo Santana Jr. sticks with the stalker. Enforceable is one of two runners from the Mark Casse barn (Lynn’s Map is the other), and the well bred colt is part of my Derby list. He has a shot to rally for a share if the pace heats up (it should). Sycamore Run might be the one to catch from post 13. Can he go all the way from a tough post in his stakes and two turn debut in his second career start? Mr. Monomoy drew well and figures to save ground chasing the pace. He is bred to be a good one for Brad Cox. Finnick the Fierce rallied for the place at 87-1 odds in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2). We will find out if that effort was a fluke.

Kentucky Derby 2020 Points Race Recaps

Jerome Stakes Recap (1-1-20) - Winner: Independence Hall ($2.20)

This was not the performance many of us were expecting. Granted, Independence Hall scored easily, but he made some troubling mistakes. He was fractious in the paddock and lunged at the start and was away last. His rider Jose Ortiz maneuvered him outside, and within a matter of strides he was in front. He was a bit erratic in the lane and scored by four lengths. There was nothing behind him and that is why he got away with his antics. I still like him and he clearly has ability, but there are more questions than answers at this stage. Prince of Pharoahs and Bourbon Bay, a pair of NY-bred maiden winners, finished in a dead-heat for the place, and it was a mile back to Celtic Striker, Polar Bear Pete, and Dubai Bobby. The track was good and the final time was not particularly fast (1:37.27).   

Sham Stakes (G3) Recap (1-4-20) - Winner: Authentic ($4.40)

Authentic was my top pick in my TRD video for Jan. 4, and he made short work of this field. He seized control early from the rail under Drayden Van Dyke, and he was clear throughout. He was green in the stretch but it did not matter in this spot. He won by more than seven lengths over stablemate Azul Coast. The latter had no speed and wants all the ground he can get. Zimba  Warrior held off Taishan for 3rd. Scoring was another 8+ back in 5th, and Uncaptured Hero stalked and retreated to last. This was only the second career start for Authentic, and he clearly has sped and talent. He needs to work on some things and we will find out if he is a legit Derby contender in the near future. 

You can read the rest of this post on my Kentucky Derby 2020 page...